Flying-machine.



(LR. & A. D. .WITTEMANN- FLYING MACHINE.

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G. R. & A. D. WITTEMANN. FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION 211111111112118, 1910.

Patented 0ct.28, 1913.

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COLUMBIA PLANQGRAPH CO.,\VASH|GTON. D. cA

c. R. & A. D. WITTBMANN. FLYING MAGHINE. APPLICATION FILED APRJS, 1910.

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFIE.

cHARLEsn. WITTEMANN AND ADOLPH D. WITTEMANN, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

FLYING-MACHINE.

T0 all whom t may concern Be it known that we, CHARLES R. WITTE- MANN andAnoLPI-r D. VITTEMANN, citizens of the United States, residing at the city of New York, borough of Richmond, Richmond county, in the State of New York, have invented certain vnew and useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification. Y

Our invention relates to that class of flying machines generally known as the heavier-than-air type, and the same has for its object more particularly to provide a simple, eflicient apparat-us which is easy to operate, and to maintain properly balanced while in operation.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a flying machine of light construction, having its parts so arranged and braced as to make the samel strong and durable. i

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a flying machine, comprising a plurality of separate or independent planes arranged substantially in the same horizontal plane.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a flying machine having its parts so arranged that the machine as awhole lies within the geometrical outline of a circle.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide a flying machine having a plurality of separate vanes for stabilizing the apparatus.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, our invention consistsin the novel details of construction, and in the combination, connection and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts, Figure 1 is-a perspective view, showing one form of flying machine constructed according to and embodying our said invention; Fig. 2 is a top view thereof; Fig.i3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the steering rudder, and the means for operating the same; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view, showing the balancing vanes, and the means for operating the same; Figs.` 6 and 7 are respectively face and top views of one kof the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 18, 1910.

Serial No. 555,990.y

balancing vanes, and Fig. 8 is a det-ail inverted plan view, showing the construct-ion of t-he rear plane.

In said drawings, 10 designates the flying machine as a whole, composed Vof two main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, which are secured about midway o-f their ends to a ypair of forward struts 13, 13, and a pair of rear struts 13a, 13a. The main o-r longitudinal struts 11, 12, are secured to the vertical struts or supports about midway between the ends of said vertical struts or supports, and said main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, are maintained parallel andv duly separated from each other by means of a long forward transverse strut 14, and a shorter transverse strut 15. The forward transverse strut 14 is secured andsupported upon the front edges of the forward vertical struts 13, 13, and bearing upon the'upper surfaces of the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, while the rear transverse strut 15 is secured to the rear vertical struts 13a, 13a, and the upper surfaces of the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12. Each pair of vertical'struts 13, 13a, are secured together at their upper and lower ends by short longitudinal guys 16, 16, and the ends ofeach pair of vertical struts 13, 13, and 13, 13a, are secured together by transverse guys 17, 17.

18, 18 denote diagonal guys connecting the upper and lower ends of the two forward vertical struts 13,113, and the similar ends of the two rear vertical struts 13a, 13a, and 19, 19, denote diagonal guys connecting the upper and lower ends of each pair of vertical struts 13, 13a.

The forward ends of the main or longi tudinal struts 11, 12, are connected by guys 20, 20, kwith the upper ends of the forward vertical struts 13, 13, and to the lower ends thereof by guys 21, 21,'while the Vrear ends of said main or longitudinal struts 11,12, are connected to the corresponding ends of the rear vertical struts 13a, 13a, by guys 20a, 20a, vand 21, 21a. The portions of the main or longitudinal struts intermediate the forward'vertical struts 13, 13, and the ends `of said main or longitudinal struts are connected to the upper and lower ends of the forward vertical struts 13, 13, by transverse Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

guys 21, 21, 22,' 22, and the corresponding rear portions of the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, are -connected to the correspending ends of the rear verticalstruts 13a,

13a, by means of short guys 21, 22. a# n,

cent to the lower ends of the forward verticalstruts 13, 13, and the rear vertical struts 13', 13a, are secured transverse niembers or braces 23, 23a, and centrally upon said transverse members or braces 23, 23a, are arranged two longitudinal supporting members 24, 24, which are arranged side by side, and serve as the support for the inotor 25, and the seat 26 for the aviator.

rThe rear struts 13a, 13, extend a short distance below the lower ends of the forward vertical struts 13, 13, and are provided with wheels 27, 27. From the forward transverse strut 14 extends downwardly and forwardly a forked rod 23, within the lower or forked end of which is` mounted a wheel 29. The end of said fork is braced by two diag onal members 30, 30, extending from said fork to the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, adjacent to the forward vertical struts 13, 13, and members 31, 31, extending from the lower ends of said diagonal members 30, 30, to the main or longitudinal struts 11,12, adjacent to the forward ends of the short `guys 21, 21. The forward and rear ends of the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, are secured together by two transverse members 32, 32a. The members 32, 32, being secured upon the upper surfaces of the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, and the members 32a, 32a, being secured to the under surfaces of said struts 11, 12, and 33, 33 denote a series of curved ribs arranged longitudinally of the frame, which are secured at their forward ends to the upper surfaces of the transverse members 32, 32, and adjacent to their rear ends to the upper surfaces of the transverse members 32a, 32, which curved ribs together with the transverse members 32, 32a, constitute the framework upon which the fabric c vers 34, 34 are secured to form the forward and rear planes.

Upon the rear plane is mounted a steering rudder provided at its upper' and lower ends with pivot pins 36, 36, the lower of which is soclreted in the transverse member 32, while the upper pivot pin 36 is disposed in an eye 37 secured in position by four transverse guys 33, 33, having their lower ends secured to the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12.

39, 39 denote flexible connections or ropes extending from the rear edge of the steering rudder to an operating lever 40 secured upon the transverse brace 23. Upon the transverse member 32 secured to the forward ends of the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, are arranged two upwardly projecting supports 41, 41, between which is pivotally mounted an elevating plane 42, provided with an arm 43 at its forwardv edge, to the ends of which are connected the ends of flexible connections 44, 44, having their rear ends secured to an operating lever 45 pivotally mounted upon the longitudinal member 24 secured to the transverse meinbers 23, 23. The vertical supports 41, 41, are secured in position by diagonal guys 43, 4G.

To each of the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, are secured transverse .members 47, 47, which are arranged to the rear of the forward transverse member 14, and connected thereto by a plurality of curved longitudinal ribs 43, 43. The transverse member 14 together with the shorter transverse members 47, 47, and the longitudinal ribs 43, 43, connecting the saine, serve to form frames at each side of the main or longitudinal struts for the coverings 49, 49. The said coverings together with their frames constitute substantially fiat planes arranged at either side of the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, midway between the forward and rear planes 34, 34.

43, 43, denote horizontal guys or stays connecting the forward `ends of the main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, with. the ends of the Vtransverse strut 14, similar or stays connecting tue rear ends of said main or longitudinal struts 11, 12, with the sh rter trans? members 4l',

47, of the. side planes Upon each of the side planes 4., 49, are ari-angerL vertical supports 50, 50, which have their lower ends secured to the transverse members 14 and 47. lllithin said vertical supports 50, 50, are pivotally mounted balancing vanes 51, 51, having their lower edges inclined rearwardly and downwz rdly, and their upper rear ecges or ends bent upwardly and forwardly. rEhe said balancing 51, are connected together at their forward and lower rear ends by connections 52, and from t e 'i pi'voted ends of said balancing 51. extend down Tardly a* o 53, to which secured the ends of s 0 ropes 54, 54, which are and secured to an op ranged upon tlf-e trav L.se brace llhe general operation of the appar is obvious. ,ln order to maintain chine properly balanced i en in merely becomes neccssa y to shift ancing Yanes 51, 51, by neans erating lever which co1 said balancing V'vanos by the fl'fxible connection 52, and adjust said anciug ranes to the required angle. lly rialiirting the op-l erating lever to the right or left as the case may be, the upper curved edge of the riglithand balancing vane wil be moved outwardly and downwardly, wlii the corresponding end of the lefthand balancing vane will be mov-ed in 'ardly .lily this movement a greater po rtion of the outer surface of the right-hand balancing vane and 43h, 43", denote resistance to the air and serve to lift the righthand plane 49, the lefthand balancing planev 4l at the saine time being caused t-o present a smaller area to the air and lessening the resistance of the air thereto will permit of the lefthand plane 49 rising and thus cause the machine as whole to move and become properly balanced and "maintain the same in that position.

It will be noted that the balancing vanes 51, 51, are equally well adapted for use in connection with biplane as well as monoplane machines, regardless of the fact whetherthe same be positively propelled by Having vthusV described our invention,

what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A Hying machine comprising acruciform frame having planes at its ends, means for propelling said machine, a steering rudder, an elevating plane, and a plurality of balancing vanes arranged in Vvertical positions parallel to the direction of travel upon said frame and having their upperrear ends turned outwardly and forwardly, substantially as specified.

2. A fiying machine comprising a cruciform frame having substantially flat planes at its several ends, means for propelling said machine, a steering rudder, an elevating plane, and a. plurality of automatically operating pivoted balancing vanes arranged vertically lengthwiseI of said frame, and having end portions turned outwardly and forwardly, substantially as specified.

3. A flying machine comprising a cruciform frame having substantially fiat planes at Yits several ends, a motor for propelling said machine, a steering rudder, an elevating plane, and a plurality of automatically operating vertical balancing vanes arranged upon said frame, having outwardly extending portions at their rear upper ends, substantially as specified.

4. A flying machine comprising a crucif-orm frame having substantially flat planes at its several ends, a moto-r for propelling said machine, a steering rudder, a plurality of vertical balancing vanes arranged upon opposite sides of said frame having their upper rear ends curved outwardly and forwardly, and means for adjusting said balancing vanes, substantially as specified.

5. A flying machinecomprising a main frame and side frame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged at theends'of said main frame and side frame members, means for propelling said machine, steering and elevating means, and a plurality of vertical balancing vanes pivotally mo-unted and arranged parallel to the direction of' travel of said machine, and each having one of its rear corners bent outwardly and forwardly, substantially as specified.

6. A flying machine comprising a main frame and side frame members extending.

laterally therefrom, planes arranged at the ends of said main frame and side frame members, means for propelling said machine, steering and elevating means, and a plurality' of connected vertical balancing vanes arranged vertically andl parallel to the direction of travel of said machine, and having their rear 'corners extendinoF outwardly and forwardly, substantially as specified.

7. A flying machine comprising a main frame and side frame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged at the ends of: Vsaid main frame and side frame members, means for propelling said machine, steering and elevating means, Vand a plurality ofy connected balancing vanes mounted adjacent to the outer ends of' said side framemembers and arranged vertically parallel Vto the direction of travel of said.V

machine, and having their upper rear ends extending outwardly and forwardly, sub-` stantially as specified.

8. A flying machine comprising a main frame and side frame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged at the ends of said main lframe and side frame members, means for operating said machine, a plurality of pivotally supported balancing vanes arranged vertically upon said frame.V

and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said main frame, and having their rear corners extending outwardly and forwardly, and means for adjusting said. balancing vanes transversely to the direction of travel of said machine, substantially as specified.

9. A flying machine comprising a main frame and side frame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged at the ends of said mainframe and side frame members, means for operating said machine, a plurality of pivotally-supported balancing vanes having their rear ends bent diagonally outward and forward; said balancing vanes being connected together and arranged vertically upon opposite sides of `said frame, and parallel to the direction of travel of said machine, and means for simultaneously adjusting said balancing vanes, substantially as specified.

l0. A flying machine comprising a main frame and side frame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged atthe ends of said main frame and side frame Vse members, means for operating said machine, and a plurality of pivoted vertical balancing vanes arranged vertically and parallel with the direction of travel of said machine, and having their upper ends curved outwardly, substantially as specified.

11. A flying` machine comprising a main frame and side frame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged at the ends of said main frame and sie frame members, means for operating said machine, and a plurality of pivoted vertical balano ing vanes having their upper rear ends bent outavardlyvr and forwardly, substantially as specified.

12. A flying machine comprising a main frame and side frame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged at the ends of said main frame and side frame members, means for operating said machine, supports arranged upon each side frame, and a plurality of balancing` vanes having their rear ends bent diagonally outward and forward; said balancing vanes being vertically pivotally mounted in said supports, and arranged parallel to the direction of travel of said machine, substantially as specified.

13. A. flying machine comprising a main frame and side frame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged at the ends of said main frame and side frame members, means for operating said machine, supports arranged upon each side frame, a plurality of balancing vanes pivotally mounted vertically lengthwise in said supports, and having their rear ends bent di agonally outward and forward; said balancing vanes being arranged parallel to the direction of travel of said machine, and means for adjusting` said balancing vanes, substantially specilied.

111-. A flying machine comprising a main frame and side t' 'ame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged at the ends of said main frame and side frame members, means for operating said machine, supports arranged upon opposite sides of said frame and extending upwardly therefrom, a plurality of balancing vanes pivotally mounted vertically lengthwise in said supports, and having their rear ends bent diagonally outward and forward; said balancing vanes being arranged parallel to the direction of travel of said machine, and means for adjusting said balancing vanes, substantially as specified.

15. A flying machine comprising a main frame and side frame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged at the ends of said main frame and said side frame members, means for operating said machine, supports arranged upon said side frame members and extending upwardly therefrom, balancing vanes having their rear upper ends bent diagonally out-ward and forward, and said balancing vanes pivotally mounted vertically lengthwise in said supports and parallel to the direction of travel of said machine, means connecting said balancing vanes, and means for simul taneously adjusting said balancing vanes ransversely to the direction of travel of said machine, substantially as specified.

1G. A flying machine comprising a main frame and side frame members extending laterally therefrom, planes arranged at the ends of said main frame and side frame members, means for operating said machine,

supports arranged upon said side frame membe adjacent to the ends thereof and extending upwardly therefrom, balancing vanes havingy their rear upper ends bent diagonally outward and forward, and said balancing vanes pivotally mounted vertically lengthwise in said supports, and arranged parallel to the direction of travel of said machine, means connecting said balancing vanes, and levers for simultaneously adjusting said balancing vanes transversely to the direction of travel of said machine, substantially specified.

17. flying machine comprising` a frame, sustaining planes thereon, means for propelling said machine, a steering rudder, an elevating plane, and a plurality of pivoted balancing vanes carried by said frame in vertical positions parallel to the direction of travel of said machine, and having their upper rear ends turned outwardly and forwardly, substantially as specified.

18. i flying machine comprising a frame, sustaining planes carried thereby, means for propelling said machine, a steering rudder, an elevating plane, and a plurality of balancing vanes carried by said frame in ver tical positions parallel to the direction of travel of said machine, and having their rear upper ends adjusted to project diagonally outward and forward therefrom, substantially specified.

19. A flying machine comprising a cruciform frame, having planes of substantially equal area arranged at the ends thereof, and said planes having their forward and rear edges parallel and arranged respectively in the same horizontal planes, means for operating said machine, and a plurality of balancing vanes having their upper rear ends bent diagonally upward and forward, said balancing vanes being mounted upon said frame at the opposite ends thereof, and pivotally supported vertically lengthwise upon said frame, and parallel to the direction of travel of said machine, substantially as specified.

20. A flying machine comprising a cruciform frame composed of a pair of forward vertical struts and a pair of rear vertical struts, a pair of separated horizontal longi- FID y operating the machine mounted upon said tudinal struts secured to said forward and rear vertical struts, a forward transverse strut secured to said forward vertical struts and said horizontal longitudinal struts, a shorter transverse strut secured to the rear vertical struts, and to said longitudinal horizontal struts, transverse struts secured to said vertical struts adjacent to their lower ends, longitudinal members mounted upon said lower transverse struts, means for longitudinal members, guys uniting said vertical struts together and said longitudinal horizontal and transverse struts together and to the ends of said vertical struts, planes secured at the ends of said longitudinal and transverse struts, a. steering rudder pivotally mounted upon said rear plane, means for operating said rudder, an elevating plane mounted upon said forward plane, means for operating said elevating plane, balancing vanes pivotally supported upon the frame to each side of said horizontal longitudinal struts, and means for simultaneously adjusting said balancing vanes, substantially as specified.

Signed at the city of New York, county of New York, in the State of New York, this 30th day of March, 1910.

CHARLES R. WITTEMANN. ADOLPH D. WITTEMANN. Witnesses CONRAD A. DmTnRloH, ANNIE I. PARSONS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

